WEBVTT ASASSAULT AND BATTERY.TONIGHT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, WEARE HEARING FROM THAT LITTLEGIRL'S FAMILY.A THANKFUL FAMILY FULL OF RELIEFAFTER HOURS SPENT SEARCHING FORTHIS SIX-YEAR-OLD NORTON GIRL,TONIGHT SHE IS BACK HOME.>> SHE IS SAFE, THAT IS ALLTHAT MATTERS, THAT SHE IS SAFETHANKS TO THE HELP OF THECOMMUNITY.REPORTER: AND AN INTENSE POLICESEARCH THAT STARTED OUT LOOKINGFOR A RUNAWAY CHILD.BUT QUICKLY AMPED UP WITH WORDTHAT AFTER LEAVING HER HOMEVOLUNTARILY, SHE MIGHT BE INSERIOUS DANGER.>> YOU GET A PIT IN YOURSTOMACH, WE GET THESE REPORTSAND WE CAN'T FIND HER.WITNESSES TELLING POLICE THEYSAW THE LITTLE GIRL TALKING TO AMAN IN A BLACK CAR ON FOUNDRYSTREET AROUND 11:45 FRIDAYMORNING.WE NOW KNOW THAT MAN IS32-YEAR-OLD AVERY HOWARD OFBROCKTON.NOW CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING ANDASSAULT AND BATTERY.FOR THREE HOURS, POLICE SEARCHEDFROM THE SKY AND ON THE GROUND>> THIS IS PRECIOUS TIME AND WENEED MANY OFFICERS TO GET TOTHIS LOCATION TO FIGURE THIS OUTIT IS HEART WRENCHING.REPORTER: JUST BEFORE3:00 P.M.POLICE PULLED THIS CAR OVERHOWARD BEHIND THE WHEEL , IN THESAME AREA HE WAS LAST SEEN WITHTHE CHILD.THE LITTLE GIRL IN THEPASSENGERS SEAT SEEMINGLYUNHARMEDWHAT REMAINS UNDOLLARSS HOW THE

Man charged with kidnapping, assault of missing 6-year-old girl

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 10:05 AM EDT May 27, 2017

NORTON, Mass. —

Police have charged a 32-year-old Brockton man with kidnapping and assault and battery of a 6-year-old girl who was reported missing on Friday but found several hours later.

Avery Howard was placed under arrest Friday night after being questioned by police.

Advertisement

The 6-year-old girl who was reported missing on Friday, was found with the man she did not know, according to Norton police.

Norton police

The girl apparently left home on her own after a disagreement with her parents just before noon Friday, and was seen walking in the area of East Main Street, near the Easton line. She had a small bag with her, police said.

Police said two witnesses reported seeing a girl matching her description talking to a man in a black sedan with tinted windows.

At about 2:45 p.m., a similar car returned to the search area and it was stopped by police. The girl was found inside the car with Howard.

The girl was in good condition and spirits, police said. Her family expressed their gratitude for her quick and safe return.